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KRG Prime Minister Hosts Türkiye's Foreign and Energy Ministers

On Thursday, August 24, 2023, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, welcomed Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar.

During their discussion, they addressed the latest developments in Iraq and the region, and explored avenues to further bolster the bilateral relationship between the Kurdistan Region and Türkiye.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised the significance of enhancing ties, particularly in facilitating trade and easing the movement of travellers between both regions.

A key topic of their discussion was the urgency of continuing the oil exports from the Kurdistan Region to Türkiye’s Ceyhan port. They also stressed the importance of resolving any issues causing delays, as prolonging such matters would be detrimental to all parties involved.

They further deliberated on the “Road of Development” initiative, a proposed railway network aiming to connect the Gulf States and Iraq to Türkiye and beyond. Prime Minister Barzani asserted that the project should proceed with the full coordination and approval of the Kurdistan Region, ensuring the benefits are extended to all Iraqi citizens, regardless of their diverse backgrounds.

Foreign Minister Fidan expressed his pleasure at visiting the Kurdistan Region and conveyed Türkiye’s desire to fortify its relationship with the region across various sectors.

Concluding their discussions, at a joint press conference, both Prime Minister Barzani and Minister Fidan highlighted the necessity of enhancing economic, trade, and security relations, safeguarding the stability of Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the wider region.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/august/krg-prime-minister-hosts-tuerkiyes-foreign-and-energy-ministers/

KRG Prime Minister Meets German Bundestag Delegation

On Tuesday, August 24, 2023, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government met with Lamya Kaddor, a member of the German Bundestag. Klaus Streicher, Germany’s Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, also attended.

They discussed the peaceful coexistence of various ethnic and religious groups in the Kurdistan Region, emphasising cultural tolerance and countering extremism. Discussions also addressed concerns about refugees, internal displacements in the region, and the threat of the so-called Islamic State.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/august/krg-prime-minister-meets-german-bundestag-delegation/

President Nechirvan Barzani’s statement on the anniversary of the genocidal Anfal campaigns in Badinan

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 25, 2023

As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Anfal operations in Badinan, we remember and honor the innocent people who fell victim to these genocidal campaigns. In 1988, 182,000 innocent people across Kurdistan, including children, women, old and young, were systematically targeted and killed by the former Iraqi regime.

The crime of Anfal is recognized by the Iraqi High Criminal Court as genocide, crime against humanity and war crime. Therefore, we reiterate that the Iraqi government must compensate the families of the victims as soon as possible; more services must be provided to the families of the victims and every effort should be made to document the crime of Anfal and make it internationally recognized as genocide.

We thank and remember the courage of the people of Erbil, Bahrka and their surroundings who came to the aid of the victims of Badinan in the forced camp of Jezhnikan. Their kindness and humanity will never be forgotten.

The best way to honor the victims of the Anfal is to provide better services to the families of the victims, to strengthen our internal solidarity and unity, to prevent the repetition of crimes such as Anfal and to work for its further international recognition.

The bitter history of the Iraqi people must be a lesson and encourage us to work together towards mutual acceptance and ensuring the rights of all communities in the new Iraq, so that the tragedies of the past are not repeated and freedom and constitutional rights of all communities are protected.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzanis-statement-on-the-anniversary-of-the-genocidal-anfal-campaigns-in-badinan-2/

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 24, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Mr. Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

At the meeting, attended by the Vice Presidents of the Kurdistan Region, the two sides discussed Turkey’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, areas of mutual cooperation, Erbil-Baghdad relations and differences, and the ongoing negotiations between them. They also discussed the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey, as the two sides share common economic and trade interests. The President expressed the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to expand Erbil-Ankara relations in all fields. He also thanked Turkey for its support to the Kurdistan Region in all areas, especially during the difficult periods, stating that the Kurdistan Region remembers Turkey’s support and assistance.

For his part, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed that Turkey attaches special importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Mr. Fidan praised the peace and stability of Erbil and the Kurdistan Region and expressed his country’s readiness to expand relations and cooperation between the two sides in all sectors. He also thanked President Nechirvan Bazrani for his role in promoting relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Turkey.

The two sides also exchanged views on the issue of exporting oil from the Kurdistan Region through the Turkish Ceyhan Port.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-turkeys-minister-of-foreign-affairs-2/

President Nechirvan Barzani receives the new Consul General of the US

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 23, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil the incoming US Consul General, Mr. Mark Straw. The President welcomed the new Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, wished him success, and expressed support for his mission. The President also expressed the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to develop relations with the United States.

For his part, Consul General Straw reiterated the US commitment to promoting relations with the Kurdistan Region and to developing mutual cooperation.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-the-new-consul-general-of-the-us/

President Nechirvan Barzani meets with the UK Secretary of State for Security Affairs

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 23, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Security, Mr. Tom Tugendhat, and his accompanying delegation.

In the meeting, attended by the UK Ambassador to Iraq and the UK Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, the latest developments in the fight against terrorism and the threat of ISIS, the upcoming elections and the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, Erbil-Baghdad relations, illegal immigration to the UK, and the fight against drugs were discussed.

Both sides stressed the importance of the UK’s joint cooperation with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to reduce illegal immigration and to combat organized crimes. They agreed that joint regional cooperation is necessary to prevent the spread of drugs in the region. In this regard, they also discussed a memorandum of understanding to be signed between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the UK Government.

Regarding the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, both sides agreed on the necessity of strengthening solidarity and unity and the importance of holding elections. With regards to the elections, the President stressed that the Kurdistan Region is committed to holding general elections which grants legitimacy to the Kurdistan Region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-the-uk-secretary-of-state-for-security-affairs/

President Nechirvan Barzani receives the new Consul General of India

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 22, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil, the incoming Consul General of India, Mr. Madan Gopal, and his accompanying delegation. The President welcomed the new Consul General and expressed support for his mission to further promote the bilateral relations of India with the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani underscored the multifaceted potential that India, as a nation, holds for the collective advancement of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The significance of facilitating direct air travel between the Kurdistan Region and India also resonated as a pivotal consideration.

Consul General Madan Gopal, for his part, expressed his profound contentment in embarking upon his responsibilities in the Kurdistan Region. He affirmed his commitment to promote the bilateral relations between his country and the Kurdistan Region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-the-new-consul-general-of-india/

KRG Prime Minister and UAE President Meet in Abu Dhabi

On August 17, 2023, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) met with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the deepening of bilateral relations between the UAE and the Kurdistan Region, addressing the need for more robust cooperation in different sectors.

Further discussions revolved around the ongoing situation in Iraq and other regional matters of joint interest.

https://gov.krd/english/government/the-prime-minister/activities/posts/2023/august/krg-prime-minister-and-uae-president-meet-in-abu-dhabi/

President Nechirvan Barzani receives outgoing US Consul General

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 13, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received the outgoing US Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Irvin Hicks Jr., who paid a farewell visit to the President upon completion of his term in office.

In the meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani expressed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude to the US Consul General for the services he provided during his work in the Kurdistan Region to promote bilateral relations between the United States and the Kurdistan Region, and wished him success in his new assignments.

For his part, Mr. Irvin Hicks Jr. referred to his time in office in the Kurdistan Region, and thanked President Nechirvan Barzani and the relevant parties in the Kurdistan Region for their assistance and support, and wished the people of the Kurdistan Region progress and success.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-outgoing-us-consul-general/

President Nechirvan Barzani and Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy discuss situation in Iraq and Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 9, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received, today in Erbil, the Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Mr. David Burger.

During their meeting, relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the ongoing talks between the two sides to resolve the outstanding problems were highlighted. Discussions also focused on the situation in the Kurdistan Region and the importance of resolving the differences; the upcoming parliamentary elections of the Kurdistan Region, the situation in Sinjar, and the status of religious communities in the country were also discussed.

Mr. Burger commended and welcomed the setting of the date for the Kurdistan parliamentary elections. President Nechirvan Barzani, for his part, reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to holding the elections, and expressed appreciation for the US support in this regards.

Both sides agreed on the importance of the agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government to normalize the situation in Sinjar and the need to protect the religious communities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The developments in the wider region and other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-and-deputy-chief-of-mission-at-u-s-embassy-discuss-situation-in-iraq-and-kurdistan-region/

More...

President Nechirvan Barzani receives the incoming UK Ambassador to Iraq

President Nechirvan Barzani stresses protection of human rights and liberties

President Nechirvan Barzani: Peaceful coexistence has become a great force of Kurdistan

President Nechirvan Barzani sets the date of Kurdistan Region elections

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